Concrete pipe making machine



y 1942- M. R. M GUIRE 2,282,667

CONCRETE liIPB MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 12, 1940 F /g. 5 /4 ML; I v

O /Z lg- Patented May 12, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONCRETE PIPE MAKING MACHINE Milton R. McGuire, Hartford, Conn.- I Application August 12,1940, Serial N 352,231

20 Claims. (01. 25-37) My invention relates to concrete pipe making machines. I

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a bell core ring disposed in coaxial relation to and having its inner periphery supported on the upsuch a machine; the bell core ring being thereafter repeatedly manually lifted and displaced laterally within the limits established by. the

hoist rod, as necessary to permit pouring and tamping of the concrete, and then being returned to axial relation with the core ready to form the bell mouthed upper end of the pipe when this end of the pipe is poured and tamped. As a result, considerable manual labor has been required, the rings being of substantial size and weight and frequently running to'70 or more inches in diameter, while the necessity for these manual ring shifting operations has also materially increased the time required to complete each pipe and accordingly reduced the production of the machine. 1 2

My invention has among its objects'to provide an improved structure making it possible to eliminate all need for manual shifting of the ring, and which further makes it possible veryfsubstantially to reduce the time required to make each pipe, all in such manner as both to reduce labor costs and also very substantially to increase the production of the machine. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved construction whereby, while the ring may be readily maintained in such raised position relative to the top of the core during the filling and tamping operations as in no way tointerfere with the same, it may then .very readily be lowered by the hoist into its operative or bell forming position. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved ring carrying member having improved operative connections to the core and improved operative connections to the hoist whereby the above results may be obtained, all while providing a simple and rigid construction for purposes of illustration two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In thisdrawing- Figure 1 is a side elevation-partially in sec- .tion, diagrammaticallyillustrating a standard type of pipe makingmachine equipped with my improvement,-.the ring being shown in operative position and certain parts being broken away, or omitted, to facilitate illustration;

Fig 2 is an enlarged detail section on line 2-2 of Figure lshowing the ring in the raised position above-the core, which it occupies during filling and tamping up to the top of the cage;

Y Fig. 3 is a like sectional View of the lower end of the structure shown in Figure 2, with the ring lowered intoits operative position, one of the bolt enclosing members'also being shown in side elevation to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 4; is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a modified-construction including a braking mechanism.

In Figure 1,'I have shown my invention applied to astandard type of concrete pipe making machine now on the market. This, as illustrated, includes a suitable base I having a usual frame 2 thereon and .a usual table 3 rotatable in this base and carrying the-usual rotatable mold shell 4 driven by usual power operated gearing 5 and adapted to receive a'usual stationaryinner core member 6 in centered position'therein on a usual bottom centering pin 1 with a usual concrete reenforcement or wire cage 8 disposed between the mold 4 and core 6. Herein, however, improved bell core mechanism, generally indicated at 9, and adapted to form the bell or mouth at the top of the pipe, is provided and adapted to cooperate in an improved manner through improved opadapted to be readily applied to a standard pipe I vantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing I have ho -erative connections between the same and the core 6 and the usual hoist rod l0 fixed to and movable with a usual transverse guidelfla movable in stationary guides 10b in the frame, in such manner as to enable this mechanism 9 and the core 6 to be raised and lowered through the" usual hoisting mechanism, herein including a ca- -.ble ll attached to the rod [0 and passing over a usual pulley l2 and wound on a usual hoist l3 driven by a usual motor 14, the pulley, hoist and a motor being carried on the top of the frame 2 I0 is not fixed as usual to the top l5 of the core 6 but, instead, has its usual terminal connection 16 fixed. in a suitable manner as, for example, by

' tions of the periphery of this plate.

the bosses 23.

bolts IT, to an upper plate I8. This plate I8 is also suitably integrally united with a bell core or ring I9 in any suitable manner, herein by having the latter Welded to and depending from por- Further, it will be noted that a depending reduced portion 20 is provided on the lower end of the rod and that this portion is extended through an axial aperture 2| in the plate I8 and a registering axial aperture 22 in the core top I5, a small clearance being provided around the reduced portion 20 in the aperture 22 to permit free relative vertical movement of the parts as hereinafter described. It will also be observed that the plate I8 is provided with a series of raised bosses 23,herein four, equally spaced around the hoist rod connection I6, and that each of these bosses is axially apertured as shown at 24; 'As shown, a bolt 25 is reciprocably mounted in each aperture 24 and each bolt has a head 26 adapted to be supported on the top of 11351005523 and a lower end Z'Ithreaded into a corresponding depending boss 28 provided on the underside of the core top l. Attention is alsodirected to "the fact that the structure is such thatxwhen the bosses 23. engage the 'undersides of the heads 26 on the bolts 25 and thus maintain the parts'in'the raised position shown in Figure 2, the ring I9 has its lower extremity 29 slightly below the top of the core 6. Further, an. unobstructed space 19a is provided within the ring I9 and above the upper end of the core 6 in such manner as'to permit lowering of the plateIB andits attached ring l9 .into the. operative position shown in Figure 3.

Attention here is also directed tothe fact that the ring I9 is provided with the usual annular inner groove 30, while a slight clearance is providedbetween the core I5 -and inner surfaces 3| of the ring I9 above and below this groove,-in such manner as to permit freerelative vertical .movement between the ring and core while maintaining the close fit desired to prevent the entry of the concrete into the space I 9a. Moreover, it will be observed that while oppositely disposed peripheral extensionsi32 are provided of the'usual shape heretofore provided on ring cores and adapted to overlie and close the upper end of the rotating mold shell 4 while providing oppositely located tamping apertures 33and .34 in their 'usual location,. these extensions 32 and tamping apertures 33, 34 herein are carried by and provided in the plate I8 rather than on the periphery of a mere annular ring as heretofore. Attention here is moreover directed to the fact that in a preferred construction afiattened or videfclosed chambers wherein the heads .of the bolts may move freely within the limits-illustrated in Figures 1 and '2 without disturbance of these limits by material finding its way between the bosses 23 and bolt heads. 26. While other connections may be provided, in a preferred construction these closures36 are also provided with a quick detachable connection with the plate as, for example, a bayonet joint connection 31 to 'In the operation of myimproved construction, with the rotating mold shell .4 operatively connected for rotation as shown, and thewire cage 8 in position therein, the core 6 and its associated ring mechanism shown in Figure 2 are lowered by the cable I I from a raised position in the top of the frame 2 until the lower end of the core 6 is centered on the pin I in a usual manner. When, however, the plate I8 and ring I9 assume the raised position relative to the core 6 shown in Figure 2, the lowering operation is stopped, the bosses 23 then underlying the bottoms of the bolt heads 26 while the bottom of the core 6 is supported in a usual manner on the platform 3. Further, it will be observed that in this position the upper end of the core is maintained in the desired. centered position thereof by the hoist rod I0 and the ring I8, while the hoist rod I0 continues. to be positioned by its guide Illa in the usual vertical guideways I0b provided on the frame 2, only one of which is shown. Ample space-is'thus provided in the position of the parts shown in Figure 2 beneath and around the ring I9 for pouring the concrete between the mold 4 and core 6 in a usual manner, and for tamping the poured concrete a necessarywith usual tamps, not shown but forming usual parts of the machine, these tamps being receivable in the apertures 33 and 34' and functioning in a usual manner as the mold 4 is rotated and while the ring I9 is held in its raised position by the hoist and cable I I. When, however, it is time to form the upper end of the pipe, 1. e., when the-pipe has been poured and tamped to the top of the wire cage 8, the plate I8 and ring I9 are then merely lowered into their operative position shown in Figure 3, by suitable operation of the hoist,- as for example by operation of the controller Ma. In that position, the bottom of the plate I8 rests upon the upper surface of the top ii of the core 6, and boththe plate and core are so disposed as to permit the completion of the pouring and tamping in a usual 'manner, while the ring I9 acts as a mold during the formation of the desired bell portion on the upper end of the pipe. When a pipe has thus been formed and it is desired to remove the core, it will be evident that by suitable reverse operation of the motor controller Ma, the hoist I3 will be operated in such manner as first to raise the plate I8 and ring I9 relative-to the core 6 within the limits established by the bolts 25-,and then, when the bosses 23 engage the heads-26 of these bolts, also lift the core-the hoist rod In being guided in a usual manner by its guides Illa, Iflb.

As a result of my-improved construction, it is made possible for the machineoperator, through suitable control of the hoist motor, to effect all of the necessary movementsof the ring and thus to eliminate both all'needfor manual shifting operations of this ring .and the costs and delays in production incident thereto. With the ,operator thus merely stopping the lowering operation in the position shownin Figure 2 until the molding of the bell is required, and then effecting merely further lowering of the plate and ring into. the position shown in Figure 3, it is possible to increase the production of the machine in a given time byv substantially ten per cent, while further substantially reducing costs by reducing the amount of manual labor required; Here attention is also directed to. the fact that the desired exact limits of movement are maintained due to the provision of the closures 36 which prevent the entry of dirt between the bolt heads 26 and the tops of bosses 23, and to the fact that the lower end of thering I9 always projects below the upper extremity ofthe core 6 in such manner as to prevent material getting in around the bolt, or heads, or between the plate and the core top [5. Itv will also, of course, be evident that if desired, these closures 36 may be removed and suitable washers provided under the bolt heads in order to control the adjustment of the core 6. Attention is also directed to the fact that the bolt structure provided is such as to be adapted to withstand any tendency of the core 8 to rotate, while the clearances provided are such as to permit the desired free relative'vertical movements between the plate and ring and the core.

While the average machine operator, through operation of the motor controller Ma, can readily control plate 3 to effect the desired movements thereof with and relative to the core 8, it may, in certain instances, bedesired to eliminate need for any use of the motorin efiecting the lowering of the plate from its Figure'2 to its Figure 3 position. When this is desired, a slip connection may be provided in the drive for the drum of. the hoist [3. For example, any suitable provided to control the connection between'the drum driving shaft 39 and the drum 40 and this clutch may be operated by any suitable clutch operating mechanism 4| having a suitable control member (not shown) extending down within reach of the operator at his usual station. Obviously, when this clutch is slipped, the weight of the plate l8 and the parts carried thereby, as well as the rod l0 and its guide Illa, will be suffioient to cause the ring [9 to move from its Figure 2 to its Figure 3 position under the control of the clutch, which thereupon is again returned to its normal driving relation. By the use of such a slip clutch mechanism, it is also made possible to utilize anon-reversible motor if desired, the lowering movement of the core 6 and plate l8 being effected by gravity under the control of the clutch 38, and the motor only being required to raise the same.

While I have in this application specifically described two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied pending said core therefrom and enabling opposite movements of said bell core into and out of operative position on said core.

5. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a plate overlying the top thereof and having a depending peripheral bell core, and operative connections between said cores including upwardly projectingmeans carried by said first and enabling limited longitudinal movements in opposite directions'of said plate and bell core relative to said first mentioned core.

6. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a plate overlying the top thereof and having a peripheral depending bell core, and upwardly projecting means disposed in spaced relation around the axis of said cores and carried by said first mentioned core and said plate for suspending said core from said plate while enabling limited longitudinal movements in opposite directions of said plate and bell core on said first mentioned core.

7. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a plate overlying the top thereof and having a peripheral depending bell core, and upwardly projecting means disposed in spaced relation around the'axis of said cores and carried by said the upper surfaceof said plate and connecting members reciprocable in said bosses and having heads engageable with thetops thereof and their opposite ends fixed to said core and projecting in other forms Without departing from its spirit tween for suspending said core from said bell core while connecting the latter for reciprocation into and out of operative position.

2. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a bell core, and operative connections therebetween for suspending said core from said bell core in a non-operative position ofthe latter including relatively reciprocable elements for directing said bell core into operative position upon lowering the latter relative to said core.

3. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a bell core seated on the top thereof, and operative connections therebetween and carried on both of said cores including means operative after a limited lifting movement of said bell core relative to said core to engage and lift the latter with said bell core.

4. In a core handling mechanism for concrete pipe making machines, a bell core, a core, and means carried by said cores and including elements reciprocable through said bell core for susupward therefrom. V

' 8. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a plate overlying the top thereof and having a depending peripheral bell core, and means carried by said first mentioned core and plate and including elements projecting through said plate for suspending said core from said plate and enabling limited longitudinal movements of said plate and bell core on said core toward and from operative position thereon, the space between the top of said core and the bottom of said plate being unobstructed to permit said movements and said bell core extending below the top of said core'in the raisedp'osition of said plate.

9. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core having a top 'member, a plate overlying said member and having a depending bell core, means carried by said top member and plate and including elements projecting through said plate for suspending said first mentioned core from said plate and enabling a limited reciprocation of said plate on said first mentioned core, and a hoist connection fixed to the top of said plate.

10. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core having a top member, a plate overlying said member and having a depending bell core, means carried by said top member and plate and including elements projecting through said plate for suspending said first mentioned core from said plate and enabling a limited reciprocation of said plate on said first mentioned core, a hoist connection fixed to the top of said plate, and an axial guide depending from said plate and guided in the top member of said first mentioned core.

11. In a concrete pipe making machine, a bell core mechanism, a core suspended therefrom and having a reciprocable connection therewith, and

hoist mechanism having a lifting connection connected to said bell core mechanism and means for lowering the latter on said reciprocable connection.

12. In a concrete pipe making machine, a bell core mechanism, a core suspended therefrom and having a reciprocable connection thereto, and hoist mechanism having a lowering connection connected to said core and having means for stopping the lowering movement of said bell core mechanism when the bottom of the suspended core reaches a support and with said bell core mechanism adjacent the top of said reciprocable connection.

13. In a concrete pipe making machine, a bell core mechanism, a core suspended therefrom and having a reciprocable connection therewith, and hoist mechanism having a lowering connection connected to said bell core mechanism and means for stopping the lowering movement of both said bell core mechanism and core when the core engages a support and subsequently effecting an independent lowering movement of the bell core mechanism into operative position on said core along said reciprocable connection.

14. In a concrete pipe making machine, a core, a bell core mechanism seated thereon, and means including hoist mechanism connected to said bell core mechanism and a reciprocable connection between said core and bell core mechanism for initially lifting said bell core mechanism relative to said core and subsequently lifting said core.

15. In a concrete pipe making machine, a bell core mechanism, a core suspended therefrom and having a reciprocable connection there- 'with, and means including hoist mechanism having a lowering connection connected to said bell core mechanism and having a driving motor and a motor controller, for stopping the lowering movement of both said bell core mechanism and core when the core engages a support and subsequently efiecting an independent lowering movement of the bell core mechanism into operative position along said reciprocable connection.

16'. In a concrete pipe making machine, a bell core mechanism, a core suspended therefrom and having a reciprocable connection therewith, and mechanism including a power driven hoist having a lowering connection connected to said bell core mechanism and means controlling the connection of said hoist to its power source, for stopping the lowering movement of both said bell core mechanism and core when the .core engages asupport and subse-. quently effecting an independent. lowering movement of the bell core mechanism into operative position along said reciprocable .connection.

17. In a concrete pipe making machine, a rotatable mold shell having an open upper end, a core seated in said shell and having its upper end extending into said open end, a plate overlying the end of said core and having apertured flanges overlying the space between said mold shell and core and also having a depending bell core enclosing the upper end of said core, and a reciprocable connection between the top of said core and said plate including members carried on the top of said core and projecting through said plate and having heads above the latter. 7

18. In a concrete pipe making machine, a rotatable mold shell having an open upper end, -a core seated in said shell and having its upper end extending into said open end, a plate overlying the end of said core and having apetured flanges overlying the space between said mold shell and core and also having a depending bell core enclosing the upper end of said core,

. a reciprocable connection between'the top of said core and said plate including members threaded in the top of said core and projecting through said plate and having heads above the latter, and a hoist connection fixed to the top of said plate. v

19. A bell core member comprising a plate portion and having a flanged and apertured periphery and a depending peripheral bell core fixed tosaid plate portion, bosses on the top of said plate portion around the axis thereof, and an axially located hoist connection fixed to the top of said plate portion, said bosses and said plate having communicating apertures therein extending through both of the same at points within said depending bell core.

20. A bell core member comprising a plate portion and having a flanged and apertured periphery and a depending peripheral bell core fixed to said plate portion, bosses on the top of said plate portion around the axis thereof, an axially located hoist connection fixed to the top of said plate portion, said bosses and said plate having communicating apertures therein extending through both of the same at points within said depending bell core, and closure caps enclosing said bosses and providing enclosed spaces above the same and said apertures.

MILTON R. MCGUIRE. 

